Archbishop silences priest's 'Voice'
Flynn forbids online, radio messages
BY STEVE SCOTT
Pioneer Press
The homilies and presentations of a St. Paul priest can no longer be published on his Web site or broadcast on a Catholic radio network by request of the archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, according to the priest's Web site.
The Rev. Robert Altier of St. Agnes Church posted a message Thursday that said: "In obedient compliance with the expressed written request of Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn … Father Altier's homilies and spiritual presentations can no longer be published on www.desertvoice.org or broadcast on Relevant Radio.''
The archdiocese had no comment about the decision, and Altier could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Altier is a prominent voice in conservative Catholic circles and operates a Web site called A Voice in the Desert. He has spoken out against a sex-abuse prevention program being taught throughout the archdiocese, including to schoolchildren. Such programs were mandated in all dioceses by U.S. bishops as part of their response to the clergy abuse crisis.
Opponents — including the Twin Cities-based nonprofit group Catholic Parents Online, of which Altier is the spiritual adviser — say the programs are too explicit for children and usurp parents' roles in teaching their children about sexuality.
Archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath could not confirm the reason for Flynn's directive because the archbishop did not discuss any communication he had with Altier. McGrath said no impropriety had occurred. "Any communication between a priest and the archbishop is personal and confidential,'' McGrath said. "But obviously there is a point of disagreement there someplace in his homilies or some of the things on the radio.''
Relevant Radio is at 1330-AM in the Twin Cities.
Steve Scott may be reached at sscott@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5526.